A flickering candle does more than dispel darkness—it evokes emotion, marks moments, and tells stories. From the earliest days of civilization, candles have served as a practical source of light, but their role goes far beyond mere illumination. Across centuries and cultures, candles have been infused with profound meaning, becoming symbols of hope, remembrance, and connection.
Whether glowing at the heart of celebrations, offering solace during moments of contemplation, or carrying prayers into the ether, the humble candle holds a timeless significance. When paired with evocative fragrances, its symbolism becomes even more powerful, creating multi-sensory experiences that linger in memory.
At LAFCO, we embrace this legacy, crafting candles that honor their history while reimagining them for the modern world. Through thoughtful design and luxurious fragrances, our candles transform everyday moments into meaningful rituals.
Join us as we explore the rich symbolism of candles across cultures and discover how LAFCO continues to modernize this iconic form of illumination, bringing timeless warmth and beauty into the present day.
A Brief History of Candles
The use of flame as illumination stretches back to the dawn of humanity, long before the invention of the written word. For over 5,000 years, humans have harnessed the gentle glow of candles, transforming fire into a practical and symbolic source of light.
In ancient Egypt, torches evolved into rushlights, the earliest form of a candle. Made by soaking the dried pith of rush plants in animal fat, these rudimentary lights lacked wicks, yet they served as the foundation for the portable candles we know today. The first true candles—complete with a wick—were crafted by the ancient Romans, who developed a method of repeatedly dipping papyrus into melted tallow to form a solid, slow-burning source of light.
Across the globe, other cultures refined their own candle-making techniques using the resources available to them. In ancient China, candles were formed by rolling rice paper wicks in a waxy mixture derived from insects and seeds. The Japanese extracted wax from tree nuts, while in India, artisans boiled the fruit of the cinnamon tree to produce a fragrant, wax-like substance.
These early innovations not only provided light but also laid the foundation for candles to become symbols of ritual, culture, and artistry. What began as a functional necessity quickly grew into a medium for creativity, spirituality, and expression.
What Do Candles Symbolize?
Candles hold profound significance across cultures, religions, and spiritual practices. Their flickering light transcends mere functionality, serving as a universal symbol of hope, love, and connection to the divine. Whether marking sacred traditions, celebrating life, or creating a quiet space for reflection, candles have been woven into the fabric of human history and emotion.
Candles in Religion
Around the globe, candles play an essential role in religious ceremonies, symbolizing light, guidance, and spiritual awakening. Their meanings vary across faiths, but the core symbolism of dispelling darkness and inviting divine presence remains universal.
- Judaism: In Judaism, candles are deeply symbolic of renewal, faith, and family. They are central to several important rituals. For example:
- Shabbat: Candles are lit to welcome the Sabbath at sundown every Friday, symbolizing peace, harmony, and the sacredness of rest.
- Havdalah: At the end of Shabbat, a braided Havdalah candle is lit, marking the transition from the holy to the ordinary.
- Hanukkah: The lighting of the menorah over eight nights commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned far longer than expected in the ancient temple. Each flame represents resilience, faith, and divine intervention.
- Christianity: Candles symbolize the divine light of God, a physical representation of Jesus Christ as the “light of the world.” They play a prominent role in:
- Worship services: Candles illuminate altars during Mass, symbolizing God’s presence and dispelling spiritual darkness.
- Personal devotions: Lighting a candle is often an act of prayer, remembrance, or hope, serving as a silent offering to God.
- Advent: In preparation for Christmas, Advent candles are lit to symbolize hope, love, joy, and peace.
- Hinduism: As one of the world’s oldest practiced religions, Hinduism incorporates candles into rituals and celebrations as a representation of knowledge triumphing over ignorance.
- During Diwali, the festival of lights, candles and oil lamps illuminate homes to symbolize the victory of good over evil and to invite blessings from Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
- Lighting a candle is also a prayer for guidance, wisdom, and inner clarity, dispelling spiritual darkness with divine light.
- Buddhism: In Buddhist traditions, candles are offerings to the Buddha, symbolizing enlightenment and the journey from ignorance to understanding.
- Placed on altars alongside incense and flowers, candles reflect the transient nature of life, as their light burns brightly yet impermanently.
- They also represent inner peace, the flame guiding followers along their spiritual path toward nirvana.
Candles in Cultural Practices
Beyond formal religions, candles hold deep meaning in cultural ceremonies and spiritual traditions worldwide.
- Paganism: In pagan rituals, candles represent the presence of deities, elements, or intentions. Specific colors are chosen to symbolize different purposes: green for prosperity, blue for healing, and red for passion. Candles are often lit during spellwork or meditations to invite protection, abundance, or spiritual guidance.
- African Cultures: Across the diverse traditions of Africa, candles symbolize hope, communication, and connection with ancestors or deities.
- Candles are used in ceremonies to serve as beacons, guiding spirits into the physical realm.
- The color of the candle holds special significance: white for purity and spirituality, red for passion and energy, and black for protection and strength.
In all these traditions, the candle’s soft glow acts as a bridge between the physical and the spiritual, creating a sacred atmosphere that encourages introspection, celebration, and connection.
Combining Flame with Fragrance
Throughout history, candles have symbolized light, warmth, and transformation, but their story doesn’t stop there. When paired with fragrance, candles become something far greater—an experience that engages the senses and elevates the everyday into the extraordinary.
At the heart of LAFCO’s philosophy lies this very idea: to honor the historical significance of candles while reinventing them as luxurious, modern works of art. This vision can be traced back to the company’s origins and its founder, Jon Bresler, who drew inspiration from European traditions steeped in centuries of botanical expertise and classical craftsmanship.
While living in Switzerland, Jon discovered the artistry of European apothecaries, who blended pure, natural ingredients into products that nurtured both the body and the soul. These artisanal traditions became the foundation for LAFCO, marrying Old World techniques with modern luxury. At its core, LAFCO was built on a simple yet profound principle: to transform the humble candle into a symbol of sensory indulgence and unparalleled craftsmanship.
The Art of Combining Flame and Fragrance
When crafting a candle, the selection of the fragrance is as vital as the flame itself. The right fragrance does more than perfume a room—it evokes emotion, stirs memory, and creates ambiance. LAFCO approaches fragrance as a form of storytelling, infusing each candle with carefully curated notes that transport you to faraway places, invoke cherished moments, or establish a calming sanctuary in your home.
This intricate process starts with sourcing the highest quality ingredients. LAFCO fragrances are crafted using essential oil-based formulations, ensuring each note is pure, authentic, and enduring. These fragrances are then meticulously balanced to complement the candle’s performance, offering layers of complexity that unfold with every burn.
But fragrance alone is not enough. LAFCO elevates the candle further with thoughtful design and artisanal craftsmanship. Each candle is housed in a handblown glass vessel, making every piece unique. These vessels, with their vibrant colors and organic patterns, reflect the elegance of the fragrances they hold, doubling as stunning home décor long after the wax has melted.
Discover Your Perfect LAFCO Candle
Whether you’re looking for a candle in a certain color, for a specific occasion, or you’re shopping for a specific scent, LAFCO has plenty to offer. Shop the candle collection in its entirety or narrow the field by fragrance family. You don’t even have to choose just one—sample three popular LAFCO fragrances with the Discovery Trio.
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